Cross Catholic Outreach donors Terry and Cindi Ruder (center) visit the home of Marta (right), a community leader in Los Hornitos, Guatemala, alongside CCO Travel Ministry Trip Leader Fernando Marquez (far left), Father Raúl Monterroso (left), and CCO President and CEO Jim Cavnar (far right).

Cross Catholic Outreach Donors Share Inspirational Visit to Guatemala

When Terry and Cindi Ruder visited the in 2018, they witnessed extreme poverty firsthand — but they also saw incredible signs of hope. Even in one of the most impoverished areas of Guatemala, the Ruders saw how their generous support of Cross Catholic Outreach has helped local Catholic leaders fight poverty, restore dignity and provide a pathway to a brighter future.

“Santa Rosa was an inspirational visit to us,” said Cindi, of Houston, Texas. “You see the people, you see the stress they live under, the poverty that they live in daily… But then you see the hope that comes from seeing people care for them. So in visiting those areas, we were able to see the real impact it had on the people that live there.”

Terry and Cindi have supported Cross Catholic Outreach for many years. Their faithful giving has empowered our ministry partners in developing countries to transform lives materially and spiritually.

While struck by the material change in Santa Rosa — including a clean water project and safe housing initiatives — the Ruders were also touched by the spiritual transformation of the children and families they met.

“It is just something that is very inspiring for us — spiritually — and knowing that we have people praying for us every day just as we are praying for them,” said Terry.

Added Cindi, “We were really impacted by the way they share their faith. They kind of epitomize what it means to be a Christian, and that makes you want to be a better person yourself. So we are hoping that other people have the same heart that we have for those in need and will be able to help.”

A man hands a gift to a Guatemalan girl.
During a trip to Guatemala’s Diocese of Santa Rosa de Lima, Bill Pressprich gave children Boxes of Joy lovingly packed by Cross Catholic Outreach supporters.

A Firsthand Look at the Church’s Efforts to Fight Poverty in Guatemala

When we respond to God’s generosity, lives are transformed. Cross Catholic Outreach donors Bill and Cindy Pressprich responded to God’s generosity in their lives by contributing to community transformation in Santa Rosa. Bill and Cindy were moved by the experience, including witnessing the incredible joy of the people in the midst of poverty.

In addition to witnessing the extreme challenges of poverty, Bill and Cindy Pressprich experienced the incredible, positive transformations Church missions are producing in those areas. Donors like Cindy and Bill are essential to continuing this positive momentum. Their compassion for Santa Rosa’s families plays an important role in our vision of relieving poverty in Guatemala through safe housing, food, Catholic education and more.